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Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers

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Copolymers are the products obtained from the polymerization of multiple monomer species. So, in a polymer chain itself, there can be multiple repeating units that come from different monomers. The process of synthesizing a polymer from different monomer species is called copolymerization. When two monomers are involved, the polymer is known as a bipolymer. Polymers with three and four monomers are termed terpolymers and quaterpolymers, respectively. Figure 1 depicts the copolymerization of...

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Author Spotlight: Exploring Self-Assembled MOF-Polymer Composites

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Nanoscale Structure-Property Relations in Self-Regulated Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticle Composite Structures.

Shawn M Maguire¹, J Brandon McClimon², Aria C Zhang¹

¹Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|February 21, 2023

Summary

Researchers created novel polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) by controlling nanoparticle arrangements. These self-assembled structures enhance mechanical properties and thermal stability, offering applications in coatings and optical materials.

Keywords:

grafted nanoparticles nanomechanics polymer interfaces polymer nanocomposites self-regulated structures thermal stability

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Nanosponge Tunability in Size and Crosslinking Density

Nanosponge Tunability in Size and Crosslinking Density

Published on: August 4, 2017

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) offer tunable properties but achieving controlled morphologies remains challenging.
Poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted silica nanoparticles (PMMA-NP) and poly(styrene-ran-acrylonitrile) (SAN) are used as a model system.
Understanding phase evolution and surface enrichment is crucial for designing advanced PNCs.

Purpose of the Study:

To generate unique polymer nanocomposite (PNC) morphologies by controlling nanoparticle dispersion and phase separation.
To investigate the influence of annealing temperature and time on thin film phase evolution.
To correlate self-regulated microstructures with enhanced material properties and explore technological applications.

Main Methods:

Thin films of PMMA-NP and SAN were annealed at varying temperatures and times.
Characterization techniques included atomic force microscopy (AFM), AFM nanoindentation, contact angle goniometry, and optical microscopy.
Analysis focused on surface enrichment, phase separation, and wetting phenomena within the PNC films.

Main Results:

Distinct morphologies were achieved: homogeneous dispersion (low temp), NP enrichment at interfaces (intermediate temp), and bicontinuous structures (high temp).
The self-regulated structures resulted in increased elastic modulus, hardness, and thermal stability compared to PMMA/SAN blends.
Control over microstructure size and spatial correlations was demonstrated.

Conclusions:

Reliable control over PNC microstructure formation is achievable through annealing.
The developed PNCs exhibit enhanced mechanical and thermal properties.
Potential applications include structural color, tunable optical adsorption, barrier coatings, and improved wettability, toughness, and wear resistance.